Volume 49 No. 4
BEACHMETRO.COM
April 14, 2020
Residents show support for those on the front lines By Allison Palmer
WHETHER IT be a post on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, many have found ways to thank front line workers for their tremendous efforts during the COVID-19 crisis, and that includes residents of Osborne Avenue in the Upper Beach. Joan Weed is an area resident who comes onto the street along with other neighbours at 7:30 p.m. daily to thank the front line workers. Joyful Noise is what they’re calling it, and residents bang pots and pans for two minutes to show their appreciation. “This is the sort of thing that I love to do, to take part in something that big,” Weed said. She said the idea first came to her when she saw a post on Facebook from the nursing association asking people to bang pots and pans to show their appreciation for health care workers, but eventually it became about all front line workers. “It’s since become much bigger than that, it becomes about all the frontline workers, the janitors, and the people that are still working in the grocery stores,” Weed said. She said everyone on the street is subscribed to an email chain,
and when things are happening in the neighbourhood this is how they communicate. From there, she was able to have the entire street come together every night to take part in Joyful Noise. Weed started Joyful Noise back on March 20. “The first night was three houses,” Weed said, but she added that it quickly became everyone on the street. She said she doesn’t know the amount of people who participate daily but she says it’s around 24 homes of residents who come out for Joyful Noise every night. “People on my street have all been so positive, you know, ‘what a great idea’ and ‘we wouldn’t miss it’, they’re out there every day,” Weed said. She said it gives people in the neighbourhood a chance to show appreciation for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle. “There are other streets that are doing it,” Weed said of the community. She said she has seen posts about it on Facebook, she’s heard of it happening in cities and towns across the province. “It’s just so so wonderful to see people out,” Weed said.
Osborne Avenue residents make a Joyful Noise every evening at 7:30 p.m. to thank those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Coach Paul Myers of the Balmy Beach Rugby Club donates blood to help those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Balmy Beach Rugby Club members are taking part in a challenge to increase blood donations across the province.
Balmy Beach Rugby Club members take part in blood donor challenge By Mary Beth Denomy
A SPORT better known for leaving blood on the field is stepping up to support the Canadian Blood Services off the field in this time of need. The Balmy Beach Club men’s and women’s rugby teams have challenged the Burlington Centaurs Rugby Football Club to see who can get the most members to donate blood. Players, coaches and fans must make an appointment to donate by
going to Canadian Blood Services www.blood.ca and show up wearing their team colours. To be counted, participants post a picture online using the hashtag #uptheblood. Most number of donations wins and the losers must wear the dirty, sweaty jerseys of the opposing team for post-game beers, once the season resumes. Balmy Beach Club rugby player and organizer, Lisa De Sario says they are giving back “to the health-
care system that has sewn us up, popped us back into place and fixed us up when the sport we love so much hasn’t loved us back!” The challenge closes May 31. All local residents are reminded there is always a need to donate blood, especially as the health care system deals with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on how to become a blood donor, please contact Canadian Blood Services at www.blood.ca
Store owners busy making masks for Garron hospital By Allison Palmer
THE OWNERS of recently opened Beach business UKDESIGNERSALE are busy doing their part to help the Michael Garron Hospital’s drive for donated fabric masks. The store opened its doors on March 1 on Queen Street East, and two weeks later had to close due to the ordered shut down of many businesses to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The store sells unique clothing
imported from the United Kingdom. Once the closure happened, store owners Teresa and Clem D’Souza immediately started making fabric masks for the hospital. “Quite early on, we heard talk about the shortage of masks and I think they knew there wouldn’t be enough so that’s why we started making them,” Teresa said. A notice posted on the Michael Garron Hospital website inspired the couple to start designing masks, and so far they’ve managed
to make more than 80 of them. Every day the couple heads to the store and designs as many masks as they can. Teresa said she uses a sewing machine that is 100 years old, has been through two world wars, and is now being used during this pandemic to make masks. She said the masks all look different and are made with fabric and elastic. They are comfortable and can be washed and re-used. “The masks are not medical grade but they’re using them to
help patients and people who are coming in to visit, people doing deliveries, it’s not actually for the (medical) staff,” Teresa said. She said transitioning back to normal life will be challenging once the COVID-19 pandemic ends. Teresa said it is a stressful time for everyone, not just those who recently opened a new business. “I think it will be quiet weird and hard for everybody,” she said of getting back to normal when the time comes. Though she is worried, she is
hopeful time will allow everyone to get back to their regular schedules. “We really love our store, we don’t want to give it up, it’s a great space,” Teresa said. For info on UKDESIGNERSALE, go to www.ukdesignersale.com For info on the hospital’s drive for fabric masks, go to www.mghf. ca/mgh1000masks For info on the hospital’s drive for personal protective equipment (PPE) donations, visit www.theppedrive.com